CHICAGO — Cardinal Francis George, the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Chicago, is defending his decision to bar church funding for immigrant rights groups that support same-sex marriage.

“You can’t play off the pastoral concern of the church for the poor against the church’s teaching,” George said. “That’s exactly what was done, that’s a cynical move, and I’m sorry that it was done.”

Cardinal Francis George

George’s response came following an open letter signed by a group of Catholic elected officials and community leaders — including Democratic gubernatorial hopeful and former Chicago mayor William Daley — that urged the church to reverse its decision.

“[F]or the church to turn its back on its long-standing work with groups that aid the poor over a completely unrelated issue is an injustice, plain and simple. The path of justice should lead the Archdiocese to leave these two issues separate and continue to seek justice through charitable works,” Daley said.

George fired back at his critics, and said church funding agreements prohibit organizations and groups it supports from pursuing an agenda contrary to the church’s teachings – which includes its opposition to same-sex marriage.

“The church is consistent, over many years – ten years and more – in our concern for immigrants, and just immigration reform, and that will continue,” George said.